Hydraulic press



Dec. 9, 1941. J. A. DAVIS 2,265,771

HYDRAULIC PRES S 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2, 1938 awe/Mm Dec. 9, 1941.

J. A. DAVIS 2,265,771

. HYDRAULIC PRESS I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1938 Dec. 9, 1941. J. A. DA\ /|s 0 2,265,771

HYDRAULI C PRE S S Patented Dec. 9, 1941 HYDRAULIC PRESS James A. Davis, Lawrence, Kama, assignor of one-fourth to Ralph L. Whitcomb, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application April 2, 1938, Serial No. 199,721

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hydraulic presses.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a portable hydraulic press which is particularly suitable for forming building blocks, or the like, from a substantially dry mix of soil and a waterproof binder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a press which is capable of applying a uniform pressure to every cubic inch of material being worked upon.

Another important object of the invention is to provide mechanism for hydraulically operating a press with manually actuated control means for starting and stopping the pressing operation and with automatically operable means for limiting the compressing stroke of the press plunger.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of press embodying a single movable ram and a movable mold box which will result in uniform compression of all of the material positioned in the mold box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the portable, hydraulic press unit embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the unit disclosed in Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a detail vertical sectional view dis-' closing the molding and compressing elements of the assembly,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, I

Figure 5 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2,

Figure 6 is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the mold box maybe opened to accomplish removal of a molded block therefrom, and

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view disclosing the piping system and controls for the hydraulic press embodying this invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of wheel supported axles l2 and i3 respectively. A

suitable draft bar I4 is connected to the front axle and functions to permit the unit to be transported when attached to a suitable motor vehicle. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, there is disclosed therein a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced angleirons l5 which are arranged in parallelism throughout their lengths. The opposite ends of these angle irons I5 are suitably secured to the cross members which form the ends of the chassis frame l0.

Suitably mounted on the chassis frame It, directly above the rear axle I3, is an upstanding, triangularly shaped post l6. Spaced longitudinally of the chassis frame Ill and suitably supported .on the angle irons I5 is a second upstanding, triangularly shaped post i1. These posts I6 and II are fixed relative to each other and to the frame of the unit. To reinforce and brace the upper extremities of these posts, a tie rod ll extends between the same, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. These posts necessarily are of very rugged construction for they sustain the load developed during each compressing operation.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, there is disclosed a mold-box in its opened condition. This box includes a bottom wall I! and one rigidly connected side wall 20. To the free, longitudinal edge of the bottom wall I8 is hingedly connected a movable side wall 2|. A movable top wall 22 is hingedly connected to the upper, longitudinal edge of the fixed side wall 20. Figs. 1, 2 and 4 disclose the hingedly mounted walls 2| and 22 arranged in their closed position. To sustain these walls in this position, the free, longitudinal edge of the top wall 22 is provided with a lip 22a and a suitable number of transverse notches 23. The movable side wall 2| has mounted thereon to extend longitudinally thereof a rod 24. Pivotally connected to this rod is a series of tie bolt members 25 which are adapted to be positioned within the notches 23 of the cover 22. Journaled in the upper ends of these tie bolts 25 is a shaft 26. A handle 21 is fixed to this shaft and functions to enable an operator to rotate the latter. A suitable number of eccentrics or cams 28 are mounted on and fixed withrespect to the shaft 26. It will be appreciated that when the side wall 2| is arranged with its free, longitudinal-edge seated in the angle formed by the lip 22a and the bottom surface of the top wall or cover 22 with the tie bolts 25 positioned within the notches 23, rotation of the shaft 26 will actuate the cams or eccentrics 28 to tightly clamp these two wall members together.

Figs. 3, 4, and 6 disclose the bottom wall |9 of the mold box as having extending longitudinally i thereof a'rib 29 which is rigid with respect to this bottom wall. This. rib 29 is received between the adjacent edges of the horizontally extending i flanges formed by the angle iron members 5. This rib 29 functions to support the mold box 1 for longitudinal movements relative to the angle 1 iron members 15 which function as guides during such movements. This longitudinal movement or floating action of the mold box is an ;essential and very desirable feature of the in- ;the longitudinal axis of the mold box.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, there is disclosed a cylinder 33 which is provided with a rigidly secured, longitudinally extending mounting block 34 that rests upon the horizontal, top flanges ofthe angle irons l5. This mounting block 34, as is best illustrated in Fig, 5, is shaped to provide a rib which fits between the opposed longitudinal edges of the angle irons IS. A rigid bracing bar 35 is suitably secured at one end to the upstanding post N. This rugged bar 35 ex tends longitudinally of and overlies the cylinder 33. Clamping straps 36 are suitably bolted, or otherwise anchoredto the side flanges of the angle irons|5 and extend around the cylinder 33 and the bracing bar 35. Two pairs of these straps 36,are provided. The upper ends of the sameare suitably drawn together to tightly clamp the cylinder 33in place.

i This cylinder 33, preferably, is closed with a rounded end 31, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. The

remaining end of the cylinder, the end presented .to the mold box, is closed by a head 38 which may be screw threaded or otherwise secured to the wall of the cylinder. This head 38 is provided with a bearing portion 39 which slidably receives the rod 40 ofthe packed piston 4| which is positioned'within the bore of the cylinder 33. A suitable, heavy spring 42 surrounds the piston rod 40 and bears at its opposite ends against the piston 4| and the head 38. It is preferred that a suitable packing unit be associated with the bearing 39 and the piston rod 40. No attempt has been made to illustrate the details of such a packing unit. The principal function of such a unit would be to wipe the piston rod." as it moves through the bearing 39 into the cylinder 33 to remove foreign matter from this rod.

; The outer end of the piston rod 40 has mounted thereon a movable ram 43 which is peripherally shaped to tightly but movably flt within the bore of the mold box to permit movement of this ram-through the box. The ram is braced with respect to the piston rod 40 by 'means of the central column 44 and the radial webs 45.

Swung beneath the angle irons I5 and between the longitudinal beams of the chassis frame ||l is altank 46 which is intended to receive the fluid employed in the hydraulic system of this press. A suitable filler spout 41 is provided for the tank.

A suitable hydraulic pump 48 is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 7. This pump preferably is of the rotary type and should be of a suitable size to be capable of delivering pressure up to 1,000 pounds per square inch with a discharge delivery of not less than three gallons per minute at a 500 pound per square inch pressure. As many suitable pumps of this character can be purchased readily, no attempt has been. made to illustrate the construction of the same.

The shaft 49 of this rotary hydraulic pump 48 is suitably'coupled to a gasoline engine designated in its entirety by the reference character 50. This power plant preferably is to consist of a three-horsepower, air cooled, four cycle engine. Several suitable engines are obtainable on the open market at this time, and for that reason no attempt will be made to further describe the same.

The piping system interconnecting the cylinder 3 33, the tank 46 and the rotary hydraulic pump 48 is best disclosed in Fig. 7 and will be described in connection therewith. The supply of fluid, preferably a light oil, is fed to the pump 48 from the tank 46 through the line 5|. The outlet for the pump 48 is connected to the line 52. This line communicates with the bore of the cylinder 33 through the branch 53 at a pointinwardly of the inner end of the piston stroke. Branching off of the line 52 is a line 54 which extends back to the tank 46. A suitable valve 55 is 10- cated in this line 54 and is provided with a control handle 56. This valve merely functions to open and close the branch line 54. When the 1 valve 55 is open, the fluid discharged from the valve 55 1 termined pressure, which pounds.

full forward stroke.

pump 48 will be returned to the tank 46 for the branch line 54 will constitute the path of least resistance for the flow of the fluid. This, of course, is due to the fact that the piston 4| is backed up by the heavy spring 42. When the is closed, the fluid discharged by the pump 48 will be fed into the cylinder 33 rearwardly of the piston 4|. A pop-oil or relief valve 51 is provided in a branch line 58 which extends from the line 52 back to the tank 46. This relief valve, which may be of any suitable construction, is set to open at any desired, predepreferably will be 1,000 This pop-off valve, therefore, will automatically operate to prevent the development of pressure within the cylinder 33 in excess of the desired maximum pressure.

A further branch line 59 extends between the tank 46 .and a point or location relative to the length of the cylinder 33 which represents the position of the piston 4| after it has traveled its In other words, after the piston has been moved throughout its full compression stroke, it will move past the point of communication 60 between the cylinder 33 and the branch line 59. This branch line, therefore, will be placed in communication with the cylinder 33 and the fluid will be released from the cylinder for return to the tank 46. A pressure gauge 6| communicates with the bore of the cylinder rearwardly of the full stroke of the piston 4| so that the operator of the device may manipulate the valve 55 in accordance with title ggsired pressure to be developed in the cylin- Fig. l discloses a throttle control lever 62 for the engine 50. This throttle control lever is connected by a cable, or the like, 63 with the operating lever 56 for the valve 55. This connection is such that when the control lever 56 is in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, the valve 55 is open and the engine 50 is idling. When the valve' 55 is closed, the piston 4| will be moved forwardly under the impulse of the compressing fluid which is forced into the cylinder 33 by the hydraulic pump 48. The complete cycle of operation is as follows: When the engine 50 is idling, and the valve 55 is in its open position, the liquid is moved from the discharge of the pump through the line 52 and through the branch line 54 back to the tank 46. When the valve 55 is closed, and the engine is accelerated, the pump 48 forces the fluid into the cylinder 33 in back of the piston 4|. The piston 4| will be moved through the cylinder against the load of the spring 42 for the purpose of compressing the soil which is positioned within the mold box. The piston 4| is caused to travel through the cylinder 33 until it reaches its extreme point of forward travel. When this point is reached, the branch line 59 is placed in communication. with the cylinder, at which time the liquid is by-passed back to the tank. If the operator fails to manipulate the valve 55 after the desired compressing operation has been performed, the relief valve 51 will function to prevent the development of an excessive pressure in the cylinder 33. After a compressing operation is performed, the operator should return the valve 55 to its opened position. The spring 42 then will return the piston 4| to its starting point and the fluid trapped in the cylinder in back of the piston will be forced out of the cylinder through the branch 53 into the line 52 where it returns to the tank 46 through the branch 54 along with the small amount of liquid which is being pumped by the pump 48 driven by the idling engine. It will be appreciated that should any of the fluid leak past the piston 4|, it will be permitted to flow back to the tank 46 through the by-passline 59.

This hydraulic press unit has been developed primarily for the purpose of forming building -blocks from ordinary earth or soil. Blocks produced by one of these units have been very successfully employed in the construction of buildings. It has been determined that extremely durable blocks may be formed from ordinary soil, although it is preferred to use soil in a slightly moistened condition. It is only necessary to have a small percentage of moisture content. Building blocks produced in this machine under a pressure of approximately 1,000 pounds per square inch have been found to possess the strength characteristics of a cement or concrete block. If desired, the blocks may be rendered entirely impervious to moisture by mixing the soil with an emulsified asphalt tempered with borax water. The percentage of emulsified asphalt and borax water is extremely low with respect to the percentage of soil employed in the mixture.

It has been determined that the earth or soil within the mold box compresses to approximately two-thirds its original volume. The ram 43, therefore, should be caused to move approximately one-third the length of the mold box during movement of the piston 4| from its starting position to the position where the by-pass line 59 is opened or placed in communication with the cylinder 33.

It will be appreciated that the compressing of the soil within the mold box is accomplished by I the movement of one ram. To cause all of the soil within the mold box to be subjected to a uniform pressure, the said box is permitted to float or move forwardly with the ram 43 and relative to the fixed or stationary ram 30. To effect return of the mold box to its normal or starting position, springs 64 are connected to the box and to the chassis frame I0. These springs are best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

After a block has been properly formed within the box by the forward movement of the ram 43 and the movement of the mold box relative to the fixed ram 30, the mold box may be opened and the formed blocks removed therefrom. It will be appreciated that suitable cores may be provided for forming hollow blocks of any desired character.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

In an apparatus for compressing earth so as to form blocks of high strength, a compressing chamber of prismatic cross section, adapted to form prismatic earth blocks of like cross section,

,the said chamber lying horizontally, and being formed with smooth imperforate walls so as to produce compressed blocks with corresponding smooth walls, two adjacent sides of the prismatic chamber being hinged on axes parallel to the horizontal axis of the said chamber, the said hinged walls being locked in operating position by a lock, the said lock being adapted to allow opening under'conditions of high pressure within the chamber, thereby facilitating the removal of the compressed block, a pair of compressing members permanently positioned in the said chamber and movable relative to the chamber and relative to each other, the faces of the compressing members being prismatic and fitting closely within the said chamber and further having smooth imperforate surfaces so as to produce blocks having corresponding surfaces, the said walls and the said compressing members being of high strength so as to resist pressures of substantially 1000 pounds per square inch within the said chamber, at least one of the said compressing members having a travel relative to the chamber of approximately one-third the length of the said chamber so as to permit the compression of loose earth to approximately twothirds its original volume, the said block after compression being removable from the side of the compressing chamber by virtue of the opening of the side thereof, means for moving at least one of the said compressing members relative to the other to compress the material in the said members, tie members to resist the pressure developed within the said chamber, the said tie members being disposed so as to leave unobstructed the two hinged sides of the compressing chamber, the last-named means including a prime mover operatively connected to the said compressing members, to impart movement thereto, and to develop within the chamber a ity thereof.

JAMES A. DAVIS. 

